Digital Arts to Begin Providing i-FILTER@Cloud Introduction Support Service QuickStart
Supporting Security Measures for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses by Providing Integrated Cloud Server Configuration
— Recommended settings for optimal web security can be set in as little as three business days^*1, making it easy to implement even for small and medium-sized businesses with limited staff and resources —

Information security solutions provider Digital Arts Inc. (headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; CEO: Toshio Dogu; hereinafter referred to as “Digital Arts”; Code 2326) is pleased to announce that on November 4 it will be providing a new i-FILTER@Cloud introduction support service called QuickStart for i-FILTER@Cloud.

With the rapid increase in people working from home, the use of cloud services in businesses and systems is also increasing, leading to a growth in the need for cloud operations in security measures. On the other hand, the number of cyber-attacks continues to increase worldwide^*2, and domestic companies, regardless of industry or size, too are becoming targets of attacks.

Information security provider Digital Arts offers i-FILTER Ver. 10, a web security product that blocks malicious URLs and malware downloads used in cyber attacks, and i-FILTER@Cloud, a cloud service for the same product. We have built a unique filtering database that collects and categorizes all URLs in Japan, and only allows access to URLs that have been certified as safe (Whitelisting), thereby protecting our customers from unknown threats. i-FILTER@Cloud is used by many companies as a cloud service product that realizes robust security measures for working from home environments and portable devices.

Traditional Whitelisting systems that only allowed access to safe URLs provided stronger security, but also posed challenges in actual use, such as often making users unable to access URLs necessary for work. In contrast, Digital Arts' Whitelisting can be optimized to not reduce the work efficiency of customers while maintaining the strong security level provided by Whitelisting functions by utilizing the range of functions i-FILTER@Cloud provides as a cloud proxy. However, as proper security requires time and knowledge, we have received requests from customers, such as small and medium-sized businesses with limited resources to allocate to IT and security, for support in the introduction of i-FILTER@Cloud.

New service that allows users to easily start using Whitelisting's external attack countermeasures

With this, on September 1, Digital Arts Consulting Inc. (headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Tadao Matsumoto; hereinafter referred to as "Digital Arts Consulting"), a group company of Digital Arts and engaged in CISO services (security consulting services), launched QuickStart for i-FILTER@Cloud, a service it developed to optimize the security measures of i-FILTER@Cloud for more customers and to make it easier to implement. On November 4, Digital Arts will also begin selling this service through its authorized resellers*3. In the past, customers had to set up their own server, create users, configure security settings, and more but with the new recommended settings optimized for businesses, we are now able to provide the necessary server settings in as little as three business days. As well, we can support the introduction of the system so that customers can start using it immediately. Utilizing our extensive knowledge of cyber security and security operations to support our customers' businesses, we will make the most of the "Whitelisting" function of i-FILTER@Cloud and provide recommended settings that best suit the business's work while maintaining the required level of security.

Specifically, in addition to creating users, URL and content filters are configured, and according to needs, up to five filter groups are created. In addition, the web service control setting allows you to set controls according to your specific business needs, such as "only allow access to social media for PR staff," and a briefing session for administrators to explain basic operation methods.

As a result, even customers with limited resources and personnel to manage security will be able to implement i-FILTER@Cloud without a problem. The service will be available for small-scale users such as small to medium-sized businesses with 300 licenses or less.

Overview of QuickStart for i-FILTER@Cloud

With QuickStart, Digital Arts authorized reseller will perform the server settings required for i-FILTER@Cloud on your behalf. It also allows you to use i-FILTER@Cloud with the recommended settings rather than having to play around with the myriad of features it contains.

Provided features:

All work will be performed remotely.

Pricing:

To begin using:

We aim to strengthen the security of business systems, which are set to become increasingly important and to seek an optimal management environment through the use of ICT.

*1 After the i-FILTER@Cloud licenses are issued, the period for the required server settings will begin after the customer questionnaire is checked and confirmed correct. The period from the application for i-FILTER@Cloud to the issuance of the license is not included.

*2 According to a report by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), "NICTER Observation Report 2020" (released on February 16, 2021), the number of cyber attack-related communications observed by the NICTER project's large-scale cyber attack observation network in 2020 will be approximately 500.1 billion packets (per year). This is about 1.5 times higher than the 322 billion packets in 2019 and is a continuation of the upward trend seen in the same year. https://www.nict.go.jp/cyber/report/NICTER_report_2020.pdf

*3 Not available at some authorized resellers.